Proper Care of Cedar Furniture
If you have recently purchased cedar patio furniture, you may not know
much about the care and maintenance of the product.
It’s true that a number of wood products need special
attention, especially when used outdoors. However, with your
cedar product, you are in luck because there is very little maintenance
required to keep your cedar in good condition.
Normally, if you buy unfinished wood furniture, you have to treat it
with oil or varnish, sealing it against the elements, especially for
outdoor use. With cedar, this is completely unnecessary
because the wood produces its own natural oils that protect it from the
weather. Therefore, as far as patio furniture goes, cedar is
an excellent choice to avoid heavy maintenance or need for refinishing
every few years.
Keeping your
cedar log furniture clean is as simple as rinsing it with
a hose every so often to avoid gathering of dirt and grime that will
stain clothing. Of course, you should always let the wood dry
completely before using it to avoid soaking your own clothes.
Rinsing off these particles will also keep the wood from splintering
and becoming rough from the etching of the grit and grime, which can
cause the wood to become more susceptible to weather conditions.
During the cold season, when you won’t be spending as much
time outside, you should consider storing your cedar outdoor furniture
in a better protected location, such as a garage, attic, basement, or
storage facility. This will aid in maintaining the
wood’s resistance to weather – remember, it is
resistant but not weatherproof, so it does begin to age after a
time. One exception to the rule may be wooden picnic tables,
since these are so large and tedious to move and will usually be
covered with a cloth prior to use anyway, making imperfections of no
consequence.
When your cedar furniture comes out of storage every spring,
it would be a good idea to take ultra fine sandpaper and give it a once
over to remove any splintering, dirt, and imperfections that could
cause it to be damaged by wear and weather or to hurt someone sitting
on it before its first use of the season. This will make sure
it is always fresh and will help to release a new oily fragrance that
is natural to the cedar.
When you buy cedar, you are setting yourself up for an easy
life. There’s no need to really be concerned with
troubling maintenance or any problems with your furniture. It
couldn’t be simpler, and should you not have the time to
complete the ritual one season, it’s not going to be
detrimental to the wood. Therefore, proper care of your cedar
furnishings for your outdoor area is a cinch.